Thompson Square singer Shawna Thompson’s father died on Thursday afternoon (Feb. 23), according to a sad statement on the duo’s website. “It is with extremely heavy hearts to inform you all that Shawna’s father George Michael ‘Mickey’ Mcilwain passed away yesterday,” the post reads.

Earlier in the day, the duo announced they were canceling this weekend’s performances with Lady Antebellum, as well as Friday night’s New Faces Performance at Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. “Shawna Thompson’s father has been quite ill for a few months and she needs to be by his side at this time,” a publicist reported.

Fans, friends and family members have been offering condolences at Shawna Thompson’s personal Facebook page and the duo’s Facebook page since early yesterday afternoon. “So sorry to hear about Mr. Mickey,” one supporter writes. “We know now there is no pain or suffering. He is getting to sing with the angels in heaven today. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family.”

David Nail will be filling in for Thompson Square during this weekend’s shows in Auburn Hills, Mich. and Evansville, Ind. Their next scheduled show is on March 2 in New Orleans, La. A closing request on the duo’s site reads, “Please be thinking about and say a prayer for Shawna, Keifer and their family in this difficult and sad time.”

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